Gas generator



R R m s A w GAS GENERATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed may 28. 1946 q Y H Wnnnnnn INVENTOR John /-7. Starr" ATTORNEY 9 1948 J. A. STARR 2,4453%9GAS GENERATOR Filed May 28, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 \s B I i Q A INVENTORQ I n/QISza/"r" a MW 4 ATTORNEY Aug 3, H948,

Filed May 28, 1946 J. A. STARR GAS GENERATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY adomestic gas generator of the above Patented Aug. 3; 1948 STATES FATE].

OFFIQ This invention relates to gas generators for Y producing a fixedcombustible gas from liquid hydrocarbon fuels.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple andefiicient device of this character which is especially adapted fordomestic use in localities where gas is not commercially available.

Another object of the invention is to provide type which is entirelyautomatic in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gas generator whichproduces gas only as it is needed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a gas generatorof this type means whereby the supply of liquid fuel to the generator isautomatically cut off in the event the generator fails to functionproperly.

Other and more limited objects of the invention will be apparent fromthe following specification and the accompanying drawings forming a partthereof wherein:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic layout of a gas generator constructed accordingto my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section through the vaporizer, retort and controlvalves for the vaporized fuel and the air with which it is mixed;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the temperature controlled waterdischarge of the cooler and filter; and

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the electric control system throughwhich the operation of the generator is automatically controlled.

My improved gas generator comprises generally a reservoir for liquidfuel, a vaporizer for vaporizing the liquid fuel, an electricallyoperated pump which pumps the liquid fuel from the fuel reservoir andforces it through the vaporizer, a retort in which the vaporized fuel ismixed with air and cracked to produce a fixed combustible gas, acombined filter and cooler for the fixed gases, a reservoir for thefixed gases, a pump which draws the fixed gas from the filter and coolerand forces it under pressure into the gas reservoir and a control systemwhich automatically controls the operation of the generator. Thegenerator is designed to produce a fixed combustible gas from any of thestandard better grades of fuel oil but kerosene is preferable as it ismore easily vaporized and leaves but a slight residue after it has beenvaporized and cracked to produce a fixed combustible gas.

Referring now to the drawings by reference characters, the numeral Iindicates a tank which 6 Claims. (Cl. 48-107) is divided into twocompartments 2 and 3, the

compartment 2 constituting a reservoir for liquid fuel and thecompartment 3 constituting a. reservoir for the fixed combustible gaswhich is produced from the liquid fuel. The tank i may be located in anyconvenient place, but it is preferably buried under ground outside thebuilding housing the generator. Liquid fuel is pumped, by a pump 5 whichis driven by an electric motor 5, from the reservoir 2 to the vaporizer6 through a pipe 1. After the liquid fuel leaves the pump 4 it passesthrough a pressure regulator valve 9 which determines the pressure atwhich the liquid fuel enters the coil 9' of the vaporizer 8. Any excessfuel being pumped is recirculated through the pump 4 and a pipe illconnecting the pipe I and regulator valve 8.

The vaporizer 6 comprises the coil 9 and a cylindrical Jacket H whichsurrounds the coil 8 and in which is embedded an'electrical resistanceheating coil i 2. The coil 9 is initially heated to a predeterminedtemperature by the electrical resistance coil l2, after which the coil 9is heated by the hot fixed gas passing from the retort 88 to thecombined filter and cooler Hi through a pipe l5 about which the coil 9and jacket ii are disposed. This will be explained in detail inconnection with the description of the control system by which theoperation of the generator is automatically controlled.

As the liquid fuel passes through the coil 9 of the vaporizer it isheated to approximately 600 Fahrenheit. From the coil 9 the heatedliquid fuel flows through a reducing valve It after which it vaporizesand passes into an expansion chamber l1. From the expansion chamber llthe vaporized fuel flow through a regulator valve i8 and a pipe is intothe chamber 20 of the retort I3. Air is drawn into the chamber 20through a filter 2|, heating coil 22, regulator valve 23 and pipe 26.The heating coil 22, by which the air is heated as it passes through it,is disposed about the pipe l5 within the Jacket ll so that it is heatedby the resistance coil 12 and pipe in the same manner that the coil 9 isheated. In the retort chamber 20 the heated vaporized fuel and theheated air mix and flash into flame, parso that the flowof vaporizedfuel and/or air to the retort chamber 20 may be cut off if desired. Thehot fixed gas, which is at about 1600 F. fiows from the retort chamber20 to the combined filter and cooler l4 through a Jacket30 and the P pIS. The jacket 30 surrounds the forward ends of the pipes l9 and 24 sothat the vaporized fuel and the air are additionally heated as they flowthrough these pipes to the retort chamber. The retort chamber 20 issurrounded by suitable h'eat insulating material 3 I.

The combined filter and cooler l4 consists of a tank 32 in which wateris maintained at a predetermined level by a fioat valve 33, connected tothe end of a pipe 34 through which cold water flows into the tank 32.The pipe l extends into the tank I 4 and terminates near the bottomthereof so that the hot fixed gas leaving the pipe l5 will have to flowup through the water in the tank to the space 35 above the water. As thegas flows up through the water it is washed and cooled, the washingremoving any solids which may have been formed during the partialburning of the vaporized fuel. The washed cooled gas is drawn from theupper end 35 of the tank 32 and forced under pressure into the reservoir3 by a pump 36 which is also operated by the motor 5. The gas iswithdrawn from the reservoir 3 for use through a pipe 31 and reducingand check valves 38 and 39 respectively.

As the hot gas flows up through the water in the tank 32 the water isheated, and if some means are not provided for maintaining thetemperature of the water below a predetermined point the water will soonbecome so hot that it will have no cooling effect upon the gas. In orderto maintain the temperature of the water below a predetermined maximum 1provide an overflow 40 and a temperature controlled valve 41. When thetemperature of the water in the tank 32 reaches a predetermined degreethe valve 4i opens which allows water to flow out through the overfiow40 lowering the water level in the tank. As the water level drops freshcool water will be admitted to the tank 32 through the pipe 34 and valve33, thus maintaining the water in the tank at the desired temperature.

To provide hot water for domestic use and to further assist in coolingthe water in the tank 32 I provide a water circulating coil 42, withinthe tank 32, which is connected to a hot water storage tank 43. Waterwill circulate through the coil 42 and tank 43 and will be heated by thehot water in the tank 32 as the water flows through the coil 42. As hotwater is drawn from the storage tank 43 through the pipe 44 cold waterwill enter through the pipe 45.

The operation of the generator just described is entirely automatic andis dependent upon the pressure of the gas in the reservoir 3. When thepressure of the gas in the reservoir 3 drops below a predetermined pointby reason of gas being used the generator is automatically started andcontinues to operate until enough gas has been generated to raise thepressure in the reservoir 3 a predetermined amount and then theoperation of the generator is automatically stopped. Thus automaticoperation of the generator is effected by what is commercially known asa pressurestat placed in the line 31.

When the gas pressure drops to a predetermined point the pressurestatcloses a master switch and a time delay switch which controls the entireoperation of all of the control mechanism. When the master switch isclosed, current is first supplied to the resistance heating coil l2.After the temperature of the vaporizer reaches a predetermined degreecurrent is supplied to the motor 5 which operates the pumps 4 and 36 andputs the generator in operation by supplying liquid fuel to thevaporizer and compressing the gas produced into the reservoir 3. Afterthe vaporizer reaches a predetermined temperature the current to theresistance heating coil I2 is automatically cut off so that the coil I2is no longer effective to heat the vaporizer, but by this time enoughgashas been produced to heat the pipe l5 up to a high degree after whichthe vaporizer is heated by the pipe I5. After a predetermined time thetime delay switch will automatically open, and if the generator has notstarted to function properly and the pipe 15 become heated by that time,the current to the motor 5 will be cut off so that fuel cannot be pumpedfrom the reservoir 2 until the cause for the generator failing tofunction properly is ascertained and corrected.

The automatic control is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4 which will nowbe described in detail. A pressurestat 46 of standard construction isplaced in communication with the pipe 31 and through it with thereservoir 3. When the pressure of thegas in the reservoir 3 and pipe 31drops to a predetermined point the "pressurestat 46 will close a masterswitch 41 and a time delay switch 48. The time delay switch may be anyone of numerous devices of this character which are commerciallyavailable. Their construction is such that the switch will automaticallyopen after it has been closed a predetermined time. This time intervalmay be varied as desired. After the switches 41' and 48 have beenclosed, current will flow from one side 49 of the line through wire 5!),switch 41 and wire 5! to the terminal 52. From the terminal 52 thecurrent flows through the wire 53 to the thermostatically controlledswitch 54, which is closed when the vaporizer 6 is cold, then throughthe switch 54 and resistance heating coil [2 and then back to the otherside of the line 55. After the resistance coil I2 has heated thevaporizer 6 to a, predetermined temperature a thermostat 56 operativelyassociated with the vaporizer 6 will close a switch 51. Current willthen flow from the terminal 52 through the time delay switch 48, wire56, switch 51 and wire 59 to the motor 5 and from the motor 5 throughthe wire 60 back to the line 55. The motor 5 will then be energized anddrive the pumps 4 and 36 putting the generator in operation, after whichthe vaporizer 6 will be heated by the hot gases passing through the pipe15. A thermostat 6! will then open the switch 54 cutting off current tocoil [2 which is no longer needed to heat the vaporizer 6. The hot gaspassing from the retort l3 to the filter and cooler 14 through the pipei5 will cause a thermostat 62 to close a switch 63. At the time theswitch 63 is closed, or shortly thereafter, the time delay switch 46will automatically open after which current will flow from the terminal52 to themotor 5 through the wire 64, switch 63, wire 65, wire 58,switch 51 and wire 59, so that the motor 5 will continue to run eventhough the switch 48 has opened. If, however, the generator fails tofunction the thermostat 62 will not close the switch 63 and then themotor 5 will stop operating after the time delay switch opens. Aftersufficient gas has been produced and compressed into the reservoir 3 thepressurestat 46 will open the master switch 41 which will out off allcurrent and stop the operation of the generator.

From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in this art thatI have provided a simple and efilcient apparatus for carrying out theobjects of my invention and it is to be understood that I am not limitedto the specific construction means operative -to force liquid fuel fromsaid shown and described herein as various modifications may be madethereto within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a generator for producing a fixed com-.

bustible gas from liquid fuel. the combination of a liquid fuelreservoir, a coil, motor operated means operative to force liquid fuelfrom said reservoir through said coil, an electric heater disposed inheat interchanging relation to said coil, a reducing valve connected tothe end of said coil, an expansion chamber beyond said valve in whichthe liquid fuel vaporizes, a retort connected by a conduit to saidexpansion chamber, an air inlet conduit into said retort, adjustablemeans in said conduits for regulating the fiow therethrough, a gasreservoir in which fixed gas is stored under pressure, and a dischargeconduit through which fixed gas flows from said retort to said gasreservoir.

2. In a generator for producing a fixed combustible gas from liquidfuel, the combination of a liquid fuel reservoir, a coil, motor operatedmeans operative to force liquid fuel from said reservoir through saidcoil, an electric heater disposed in heat interchanging relation to saidcoil, a reducing valve connected to the end of said coil, an expansionchamber beyond said valve in which the liquid fuel vaporizes, a retortconnected by a conduit to said expansion chamber, an air inlet conduitinto said retort, adjustable means in said conduits for regulating thefiow therethrough, a gas reservoir in which fixed gas is stored underpressure, a discharge conduit through which fixed gas fiows from saidretort to said gas reservoir, and a pressure operated switch in themotor circuit arranged to be opened and closed by the variations inpressure of the gas in said gasreservoir and operative to start and stopthe operation of said generator.

3. In a generator for producing a fixed combustible gas from liquidfuel, the combination of a liquid fuel reservoir, a coil, motor operatedmeans operative to force liquid fuel from said reservoir through saidcoil, an electric heater disposed in-heat interchanging relation to saidcoil, a reducing valve connected to the end of said coil, an expansionchamber beyond said valve in which the liquid fuel vaporizes, a retortconnected by a conduit to said expansion chamber, an air inlet conduitinto said retort, adjustable means in said conduits for regulating theflow therethrough, a gas reservoir in which fixed gas is stored underpressure, a discharge conduit through which fixed gas flows from saidretort to said gas reservoir, a pressure operated switch in the motorcircuit arranged to be opened and closed by the variations in pressureof the gas in said gas reservoir, a second switch, said second switchbeing disposed in the motor circuit and arranged to be opened andclosed'by thermostatically operated means responsive to the variationsin temperature of said heater, said pressure operated switch and saidsecond switch cooperating with each other and adapted when both areclosed to render said motor operative.

4. In a generator for producing a fixed combustible gas from liquidfuel, the combination of a liquid fuel reservoir, a coil, motor operatedreservoir through said coil, an electric heater disposed in heatinterchanging relation to said coil, a reducing valve connected to theend of s'tid coil. an expansion chamber beyond said valve in which theliquid fuel vaporizes, a rotor-t connected by a conduit to saidexpansion chamber, an air inlet conduit into said retort, adjustablemeans in said conduits for regulating the flow therethrough, a gasreservoir in which fixed gas is stored under pressure, and a dischargeconduit through which fixed gas flows from said retort to said gasreservoir, a portion of said discharge conduit being dis- ,posed in heatinterchanging relation to said coil.

5. In a generator for producing a fixed combustible gas from liquidfuel, the combination of a liquid fuel reservoir, a coil, motor operatedmeans operative to force liquid fuel from said reservoir through saidcoil, an electric heater disposed in heat interchanging relation to saidcoil, a reducing valve connect-ed to the end of said coil, an expansionchamber beyond said valve in which the liquid fuel vaporizes, a retortconnected by a condull; to said expansion chamber, an air inlet conduitinto said retort, adjustable means in said conduits for regulating thefiow therethrough, a gas reservoir in which fixed gas is stored underpressure, a discharge conduit through which fixed gas flows from saidretort to said gas reservoir, a portion of said discharge conduit beingdisposed in heat interchanging relation to said coil, a pressureoperated switch in the motor circuit arranged to be opened and closed bythe variations in the pressure of the gas in said gas reservoir, a

' second switch, said second switch being disposed in the motor circuitand arranged to be Op and closed by thermostatically operated meansresponsive to the temperature of said heater and said discharge conduit,and a third switch, said third switch being disposed in the electricheater circuit and arranged to be opened and closed by thermostaticallyoperated means responsive to the temperature of said electric heater,said pressure operated switch and said second witch cooperating witheach other and adapted when both are closed to render said motoroperative, and said third switch being adapted when open to render saidheater inoperative.

6. In a genera-tor for producing a fixed combustible gas from liquidfuel, the combination of a liquid fuel reservoir, a coil, motor operatedmeans operative to force liquid fuel from said reservoir through saidcoil, an electric heater disposed in heat interchanging relation to saidcoil, a reducing valve connected to the end of. said coil, an. expansionchamber beyond said valve in which the liquid fuel vaporizes, a retortconnected by a conduit to said expansion chamber, an air inlet conduitinto said retort, adjustable means in said conduits for regulating theflow therethrough, a gas reservoir in which fixed gas is stored underpressure, a discharge conduit through which fixed gas flows from saidretort to said gas reservoir, 2. portion of said discharge conduit beingdisposed in heat interchanging relation to said coil, a pressureoperated switch in the motor circuit arranged to be opened and closed bythe variations in the pressure of the gas in said gas reservoir, asecond switch, said second switch being disposed in the motor circuitand arranged to be opened and closed by thermostatically operated meansresponsive to the temperature of said heater'and said discharge conduit,a third switch, said third switch being disposed in the electric heatercircult and arranged to be opened and closed by t e as in said gasreservoir reaches a predeten- 5 mined minimum and to automatically openafter a predetermined time, a fourth switch. said fourth switch beingdisposed in an alternate motor circuit and arranged to be opened andclosed by thermostatically operated means responsive to 20 thetemperature of said discharge conduit, said pressure operated switch,said second switch and said time delay switch cooperating with eachother and adapted when all are closed to render said motor operative,said third switch being 15 closed to maintain said motor operative aftersaid so time delay switch has opened.

JOHN A STARR.

nsrnaaucns orrnn The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

Number Name Date 122,733 Olney Jan. 18, 1872 324,885 Hanlon Aug. 18,1885 535,988 Harve Mar. 19, 1895 615,385 Gearing Dec. 6, 1898 682,211Ludwig Sept. 10. 1901 731,434 Cothran June 23, 1963 1,960,108 HermsdorfMay 22, 1934 2,125,842 Eggleston Aug. 2, 1938 2,207,057 Gulick July 9,1940 2,255,967- Collins Sept. 16, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number CountryDate 5,510 Australia Jan. 11. 192!

